Amongst new , business books we select for commendation How to'
Write Business Letters, by C. Maxwell Tregurtha. (Hutchinson. 5s.)—There is no doubt that we could sell Very many more British goods, both in our country and overseas, by intelligent use of the Post Office. However, the " mail-order " business is full of pitfalls for the inexperienced, and anyone who contemplates selling goods direct by mail cannot do better than study this extremely practical book, which is full of illustrations of good and bad letters and useful hints. Some of the " good " letters are frankly vulgar, such as this conclusion to an imaginary effort to sell margarine to housewives :—" Got the basket, Mother ? Yes—well we are waiting to welcome you at The Dairy Blend Store." But, as the author very truly points out, every letter has to be considered with regard to the class of person who will receive it. A great deal of imagination is required in this business of selling things by post. We have not space to consider the subject further here, but cannot refrain from noticing a true and interesting observation of Mr. Tregurtha's that typescript reveals character just as writing does. " Two things demonstrate themselves in every typewritten letter—the interest of the operator in her work and the amount of intelligence she possesses." In England such details are too often over- looked, typists are often underpaid and sales-seeking letters are sent out in a slipshod way. There must be many business men to whom an investment of shillings in this volume would bring a return of hundreds of pounds per annum.
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